Celebrate the personal history of a community

January 08, 2009

A show this weekend will blend the young and young-at-heart in a most theatrical way.

East Jordan High School drama students will be staging the third annual East Jordan High School Historical Review, a production that is a true communitywide effort. The play was written by East Jordan drama teacher Pat Tinney, features costumes by Shirley Vollbach and a set constructed by Andy and Pat Poineau, Mitch and Nancy Carey, Rod Tinney and the East Jordan High School wood shop classes. The review is made possible by a grant from the Malpass Foundation.

And, the involvement of the community goes even deeper than that …

Fodder for the Historical Review came from student interviews with area senior citizens. Drama students in groups of three visited residents in their homes, where one would take video and one would record the audio, while the third student conducted the interview. All of the questions were generated by the students themselves and resulted in some wonderful stories and poignant memories that have been turned into a powerful production that should not be missed.

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Residents who sat down with students and shared a glimpse into their lives were Tom Breakey, Marie Rebec, Barbara Adams, Bonnie Damer, Jim Meredith, Terry Argetsinger and Shirley Smith. Highlights from the interviews:

- Tom Breakey related creating a diving bell after reading an article in Popular Mechanic at age 14. He walked on the bottom of Lake Charlevoix using a borrowed hose, no less.

- Barbara Adams said her little sister Nancy licked a worm and that she ran the cherry orchard on Ridge Road while her husband was serving in World War II.

- Bonnie Damer tells the true story of the hermit, Mr. Foot. (Tinney encourages all to come to the review for the rest of the story.)

- Marie Rebec told of a boy, named Billy, who was always getting into trouble. Tinney has written the Historical Review with "Billy" as the main character.

- Shirley Smith shared memories of a special dollhouse that was made for her by her father. That particular dollhouse was tracked down and shipped to East Jordan and plays a prominent roll in Saturday's show.

Saturday night's Historical Review will also feature the East Jordan High School choir performing a moving tribute to all veterans from East Jordan, including the 87 who are currently serving in the Middle East.

More than 70 East Jordan students have been working for weeks to put this show together, shining the spotlight on the lives of some of their older friends and neighbors. The East Jordan High School Historical Review promises laughter and tears, and more importantly, celebrates the personal history of a community.

Admittance to this show is by donation with proceeds going to the drama department. The curtain goes up at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the East Jordan High School auditorium. You don't want to miss this!